Mao Asada Fan Fest

This is a Valentine's gift for all Mao fans, an intimate place where we can express freely our love for Mao the person, the skater, and the world champion, an informative place where we share news of Mao, a safe place where we discuss her skating, her programs, and everything about her. Post long and often.

Mao arrived at Narita Airport (成田空港) Japan on Valentine's Day (Feb 14, afternoon, local time). She responded with her usual smile to a group of reporters that her 3As at 4CC, though deemed under-rotated, were steady steps toward success in the coming World Championships, where she planned to include 3As (http://sankei.jp.msn.com/sports/news...4814826.shtml).

Mao arrived at Narita Airport (成田空港) Japan on Valentine's Day (Feb 14, afternoon, local time). She responded with her usual smile to a group of reporters that her 3As at 4CC, though deemed under-rotated, were steady steps toward success in the coming World Championships, where she planned to include 3As (http://sankei.jp.msn.com/sports/news...4814826.shtml).

Good news! Just like at the Olympics I expect Mao to hit *both* 3axels. As she's proven over the years, she only gets better as the season progresses, finally peaking at the most important competition, which this year is Worlds.

You can see that she's sacrifced height to achieve width without which she won't get GOEs. But as a result, she's actually got less air time than before and so is completing the revolutions more quickly than last year!!

She is just exquisite. I love her LP dress where this amazing skater is decked in violet which I think is the perfect color for her skin tone. She always looks so delightful in pastels. I just love Mao Asada and wish her well at worlds. She is looking too thin, and I know her work and the triple axel keep her busy. I am glad there are taller, larger skaters still skating but I find this little tiny butterfly fascinating. How does she do triple axels?? i still wonder how it is possible, and she even floats doing this jump! best of luck Mao. Love from a fan in America....

She is just exquisite. I love her LP dress where this amazing skater is decked in violet which I think is the perfect color for her skin tone. She always looks so delightful in pastels. I just love Mao Asada and wish her well at worlds. She is looking too thin, and I know her work and the triple axel keep her busy. I am glad there are taller, larger skaters still skating but I find this little tiny butterfly fascinating. How does she do triple axels?? i still wonder how it is possible, and she even floats doing this jump! best of luck Mao. Love from a fan in America....

Yes, that's the way I feel. How can she have the strength that she clearly does? She's definitely a phenomenon, and I'm delighted to be her fan.

A new montage (The story of Takahiko Kozuka and Mao Asada) was uploaded on Youtube today (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpiLdgbUky0). What I found interesting is the game show part where Kozuka half jumped and half climbed and beat the challenge. I'm getting an impression that Kozuka, as quiet and humble as he might appear, is actually very smart. Didn't he win the cash prize in another game show "Running for life" or something (I don't remember the name of the show)?

A new montage (The story of Takahiko Kozuka and Mao Asada) was uploaded on Youtube today (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpiLdgbUky0). What I found interesting is the game show where Kozuka jumped high and succeeded in the challenge. I'm getting an impression that Kozuka, as quiet and humble as he might appear, is actually very smart. Didn't he win the cash prize in another game show "Running for life" or something (I don't remember the name of the show)?

I love it when our skaters are accomplished in other areas. (One reason Debi Thomas and Rachael Flatt will always hold a place in my heart.) The same goes for actors and singers. I know of two child actresses who went on to earn impressive degrees. Danica McKellar from The Wonder Years earned a degree in math, and Mayim Bialik from Blossom (and now on The Big Bang Theory) actually has a doctorate in I think neurobiology. Do I get to add Kozuka to this list? Hooray!

By the way, hurrah, that side-by-side comparison of Mao's triple axels last year and this is very interesting. Thanks for locating it for us. I also agree with skateluvr that I love Mao in that periwinkle purple shade she seems to favor. It's not so much that I love her in pastels but that I love her in those more saturated, deeper pastel shades like that and the sort of twilight blue she wore one year for I think a Chopin piece. I don't like really pale pastels; it's just a personal reaction of mine. I also don't warm to white, which is why I wish Alissa would change her costumes a bit.